Blythe Park PTA Happenings 09/23/2013

This year, due to curriculum constraints, students will not be completing their Original Works Art project in the classroom. PTA is aware that Original Works is a long-standing tradition for Blythe families. To ensure you will be able to purchase keepsakes and give treasures to family members for the holidays, artwork will be the created during lunch recess or after the school day (kindergarten only) on the following days:

Monday/Tuesday - 9/30-10/1
11:35a- Preble
12:05p-Sayre

Wednesday/Thursday - 10/2-10/3
11:35a-Pollock
12:05p-Depke

Friday - 10/4
11:20a-Kindergarten

Monday/Tuesday - 10/7 and 10/8
11:35a- King
12:05p - Bryan

Wednesday/Thursday - 10/9 and 10/10
11:35a- Helfrich

PTA will have all the materials necessary, including instructions, so your child can create a masterpiece for your family to enjoy for years to come.

What you need to do:

• If your child will be at school for lunch during those days – you don’t need to do anything!
• To speed the process, below is information on what art piece your child will work on. We are using the traditional Original Works art schedule to complete the work on time.

original-works-projects

• If your child would like to bring in a rough draft or sketch (they will need to transfer it on to the Original Works paper) that could help make the process quicker and help eliminate make up days!
• Kindergarten art is a hand print – so no pre-work is needed.
• If your child does not eat lunch at Blythe, or is absent –we will be scheduleing make-up days.
• If you’re interested in participating in Original Works but don’t want your child to do the project during lunch recess, PTA can send their art packet home. Contact Riia O’Donnell at riiao@concast.net
• If you don’t want your child to participate, contact Riia O’Donnell at riiao@comcast.net

Artwork must be received by PTA by 10/18 to meet the holiday deadline.Any sibling artwork must also be received by 10/18.

To make this all happen, we will need parent volunteer help during each of the lunch recess periods listed above.  If you are available and can help, please click on the VolunteerSpot button below:

In addition to the artwork created at school, you may submit your own photo or artwork.  To do so, it must be completed on a 8 x 10 1/2 piece of paper.  Please use thicker than copy paper strength.  Place a “T” on the back of the artwork in pencil to indicate the TOP.

      

Let the Brain Games Begin…..

PTA is launching the Bulldog Brain Games. This coming week, and once every month this school year, Room Parents or Volunteers will be in your child’s classroom challenging them with a Bulldog Brain Game. The Games will highlight a different academic or cultural discipline each month. Students will hear a short presentation on the month’s topic, and get a homework piece to return (which is optional). If your child returns the handout completed – they will receive a really cool prize.  Return the handout by the end of the month to be eligible for the prize!

September is Music Appreciation Month. Students will learn why music is so important, and how it helps us learn. If your child misses the presentation, here’s a http://www.blytheparkpta.org/?page_id=5759 to their grade’s handout.

Thanks to our many volunteers who are making this happen!

Let the Games begin……

      

Just a reminder, if you are a sidewalk chalk artist please chalk your square either Monday, September 23rd or Tuesday, September 24th anytime after 3:05pm.  We will encourage all to view the completed gallery on Wednesday, September 25th.

To locate your square, look for a stick with your family name on it.  All the squares are located in the front of the school on Leesley Rd.  Each family will need to supply their own side walk chalk or side walk paint for their creation.

This year we will be awarding a “best of show” award to one of the artists.  So, encourage your children to be creative.

Thanks to all for being flexible and making another attempt. Any questions, contact Lisa Gaynor at 708-442-4509.

      

Treat your kid(s) to a hot lunch and treat yourself to a day off from packing lunches!

On Friday, September 27th, Blythe Park PTA will be holding the first Hot Lunch Fundraiser for the year.  The menu will include: slice of cheese pizza, seasonal fruit, cookie and a drink.  The cost per child is $5.00.  To register your child(ren), go to www.blytheparkpta.org and click on the hot lunch sign-up button located on the right side bar.  Reservation deadline is Wednesday, September 25th. This program is only for children that have the option of staying at school for lunch.

Similar to last year, we will be taking reservations for the remainder of the year.   Mark your calendar, hot lunch fundraiser will take place on the following Friday dates:

      

You’re invited to attend the District 96 Faculty Music Recital to be performed on Thursday, September 26th at 7:00pm in the Hauser auditorium. See the attached flyer for all the details of the great musical night!

music_faculty_recital_flyer_2013

      

Picture Day will be held this Monday, September 30th  If purchasing pictures, don’t forget to send your picture package with your child(ren). You may purchase pictures through the Life Touch website www.lifetouch.com. All pictures purchased electronically must be done prior to Monday’s picture day.

      

The Bulldog Challenge (Blythe Park’s very own fitness program) will be starting in October!!  The program description and the fitness log for October will be sent home this week!  Office Depot has generously sponsored our fitness program by printing out the program description and monthly tracking sheets on paper that they cannot otherwise use. The information will also be available on the Blythe Park PTA website and important reminders will be included in the Blythe Park Happenings and ebackpacks.  Our first “Wellness Wednesday” will be October 9th-stay tuned for information about our fitness guests!

      

Blythe Park PTA will continue the tradition of parents performing in the PTA sponsored Halloween Play.  This year we would like to perform, “Frankenstudent”.

The students will have their usual Halloween Parade and then look forward to seeing parents in the Halloween Play!  Parent participation is needed for casting and prop production.  Practices will be light, stress free and FUN starting the week of September, 23rd.

We would like to offer practices twice a week, for the five weeks (days to be determined by cast) prior to the performance on Thursday, October 31^st at 2:00 pm.  Practices will be approximately one to one and a half hours one to two days/evenings per week The length of practice and add on practices if needed will be determined by the cast comfort level with readiness for the scheduled performance.

We understand it is a huge commitment and will work with all parents interested to the best of our ability!

Again, parent participation is necessary for the PTA to continue this tradition!  So, if you always wanted to act, love to act or just want to participate in any way small or large please email Mary Smith at mimaha@abcglabal.net with any questions before you commit.

Thank you!

      

To continue our recycling initiatives, Blythe Park PTA will now recycle unwanted crayons.  Each year 92,000 pounds of unwanted crayons land in landfills.  The CRAYON RECYCLE PROGRAM and Crazy Crayons, LLC takes unwanted, rejected, broken crayons to a better place, where they will be recycled into new crayons!